Plant material, be it hay/corn/etc when cut begins to 'rot' or fement in if oxygen is present. This process gives off heat and lactic acid. That why hay 'heats', molds, and has the potential to start fires if this goes far enough. The lower the moisture content the less lactic acid bacteria and the more misc bacteria drive the process.
When we bale hay a race begins in the bale. Until the moisture content drops to a certain level (12-18 percent depending on climate and how tight the bale is) the oxygen using bacteia (aerobic) will continue to grow. They faster the hay sweats if it is above critical moisture the less 'dusty' (microscopic mold spores) it is.
As long as oxygen and water is present in the system bacteria that digest the hay will continue to grow. If oxygen is runs out (plastic, silo wall, bunker silo cover) eventually the lactic acid bacteria will die. Provided enough moisture is present one of two other bacteria begin to grow and consume the lactic acid, not the feed itself. Propionic generating bacteria consume the lactic acid and make 'good silage'. If there is too much moisture and no oxygen butyeric acid bacteria develop, this makes sour silage. These also generate heat so the silage has a rancid butter smell, and brown color with lots of heat damaged protein. It is too wet to ignite on its own, but if dry silage goes in on top of it, or it is over dry silage in an upright silo then fires can start where they touch. Ethanol fermination or sweet silage can occur if oxygen is absent and moisture is too low. It is poorly preserved, but has little heat damaged protein. If oxygen gets in it will almost immediately spoil.
Corn, with its high energy content is the most forgiving silage crop. Lots of food for the lactobacillus. Alfalfa and soybeans with their high calcium content are the most difficult in the calcium counteracts the acid preserving effects of the propionic acid.
We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today. [ About Us ]
Today's Featured Article - Listening to Your Tractor - by Curtis Von Fange. Years ago there was a TV show about a talking car. Unless you are from another planet, physically or otherwise, I don’t think our internal combustion buddies will talk and tell us their problems. But, on the other hand, there is a secret language that our mechanical companions readily do speak. It is an interesting form of communication that involves all the senses of the listener. In this series we are going to investigate and learn the basic rudimentary skills of understanding this lingo.
... [Read Article]
Latest Ad:
2022 John Deere 5045E, 4wd, front end loader and 3rd function with grapple. 120 hrs, 55k new, must sell
[More Ads]
All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of any part of this website, including design and content, without written permission is strictly prohibited. Trade Marks and Trade Names contained and used in this Website are those of others, and are used in this Website in a descriptive sense to refer to the products of others. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy
TRADEMARK DISCLAIMER: Tradenames and Trademarks referred to within Yesterday's Tractor Co. products and within the Yesterday's Tractor Co. websites are the property of their respective trademark holders. None of these trademark holders are affiliated with Yesterday's Tractor Co., our products, or our website nor are we sponsored by them. John Deere and its logos are the registered trademarks of the John Deere Corporation. Agco, Agco Allis, White, Massey Ferguson and their logos are the registered trademarks of AGCO Corporation. Case, Case-IH, Farmall, International Harvester, New Holland and their logos are registered trademarks of CNH Global N.V.
